I’m new to hammocking and have a question regarding the tarp/shelter that you more experienced hangers would recommend. Specifically, I have a standard hex tarp that came with my hammock, but I’m concerned about how that might work in bad weather. Do you think I’d be better off using a tarp with doors instead of the one I’ve got without doors?

Last July I was on Crab when a severe storm rolled in with 65mph winds. This was the same storm that canceled the blueberry festival in Ely.

My son's hammock with a square tarp was dry. My hammock with same tarp was like a wind tunnel and ended up sopping wet. Placement direction matters the most, but since I am going back again I will be sewing some doors on both tarps and will hopefully not ever see a storm like that again.



And never get a yellow tarp if you like to nap in the afternoon.

I’m pretty new in the hammocking world but I went with a UGQ Winterdream that has doors snaps just to be covered. You can mod your tarp and pull back your doors when they aren’t needed, but I like to be prepared for the worst.

I have a Superior Gear hammock, and they make tarps with doors, so maybe I’ll get one of those. I like to buy locally when I can.

I have a Warbonnet Superfly and love the doors. The doors allow for many different set up options and have provided great protection in some very bad weather. I have a bridge hammock so I went with a 13’ custom and there is a ton of room for storage.

I would never use a tarp without the option of deploying doors unless it was a 2-3 day trip with a clear forecast. I use the Warbonnet Superfly with removable snap on doors. You'll see a narrow opening between the doors here - If rainy windy conditions are forecast I carry an old rain poncho that I rig up to cover the gap.

Pilgrimpaddler: "I’m new to hammocking and have a question regarding the tarp/shelter that you more experienced hangers would recommend. Specifically, I have a standard hex tarp that came with my hammock, but I’m concerned about how that might work in bad weather. Do you think I’d be better off using a tarp with doors instead of the one I’ve got without doors?"

A hex tarp is perfectly suitable for rain falling straight down. That means you are either in a site that is out of the wind or if not, that you can find a suitable hammock location back in the woods in an exposed site.

My riskiest set-up last year in Quetico was at an elevated site on Sturgeon Lake that was exposed to wind and rain. When the rain hit during the day, I just took the hammock down and put it in my drybag. The set-up was almost perfectly broadside to the elements. When the rain stopped, there was a perfectly dry square under the tarp. That gave me the confidence to know that even if my hammock location was exposed, as long as the setup was broadside to the elements, the hex tarp will work.

The tarps with doors look interesting. They will certainly provide a more instant peace of mind in a storm as opposed to an "acquired" peace of mind that comes from experience gained in the field over time.

Looks like a tarp with doors is the recommended option. Superior offers a protector that goes over the sewn-in underquilt that might be helpful. They have a waterproof version and a water-resistant version ( think splash guard). I’m not sure the waterproof one would be a good idea because it might catch condensation, but I’m new to all this so I guess I really don’t know as much as I should.

I’ve been in a few downpours with my 10x12 CCS tarp. When it looks like rain I just move the sides down. Add a big cotton shoe lace on each end of your hammock suspension so the rain directs down instead of soaking your hammock.

TomT: "I would never use a tarp without the option of deploying doors unless it was a 2-3 day trip with a clear forecast. I use the Warbonnet Superfly with removable snap on doors. You'll see a narrow opening between the doors here - If rainy windy conditions are forecast I carry an old rain poncho that I rig up to cover the gap.



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If your doors snap on and off then you have the Warbonnet Mamajamba. The Superfly had integral doors.

Pilgrimpaddler: "Looks like a tarp with doors is the recommended option. Superior offers a protector that goes over the sewn-in underquilt that might be helpful. They have a waterproof version and a water-resistant version ( think splash guard). I’m not sure the waterproof one would be a good idea because it might catch condensation, but I’m new to all this so I guess I really don’t know as much as I should. "

My personal recommendation would be to get the Warbonnet Superfly. It's the bomb. I've stayed dry under it through some seriously wicked and literally deadly storms the past few years.

I use a UGQ Winterdream for my setup. Whatever you go with, definable get one with doors. Will be glad you did if a storm rolls through.

Warbonnet RR 13' Superfly w/ doors . Purchased a 12' Thunderfly , if I had to do over I would have got the 13' TF. All in all the 12' TF works well, takes a little extra consideration when pitching, 13' Superfly is more forgiving.

I like a 13'x13' tarp because there's enough for both sides to reach to ground (with a 7' ridge) and 13' is long enough to cover my suspension well.
I got a DD 4x4 (meters) tarp. $100

BTW, You can rig any rectangular tarp in "door" configuration.